Disappearing, then reappearing preference files

This is the second time I've had this problem.
I began to notice the dock freeze alot as it was trying to show/hide. This got worse and worse until it was starting to interfere with my computer work.
I happened to look in my preference folder and I found several files being displaced and then moved back.
Last time this happened, I trashed my entire pref file... and suspecting perhaps a widget (these are the only things I've downloaded in a long time).... I turned off everything except the original apple widgets.
I repaired my permissions and then restarted and checked- no odd behaviour- so, I figured I had fixed the problem.
Now, many weeks later, it's happening again.
Back to the pref/ file- this time there's actually 3 or 4 different files disappearing, then reappearing.
They vanish so quickly that I can't catch them to throw them away or read their names.... actually, I did catch one once and it was named something like c#fx66fy...
Can anyone tell me if they've experienced this? Is it normal? Is it caused by widgets?
No one uses my computer but me and I do not download files/photos/music or movies. I do download widgets.... but I don't keep them all.
Please Help.

Hi I have had this problem, unfortunatly The fix that was posted is no longer in my archive. I think that it was Dr Smoke who solved the problem. You could try his pages.
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/finder.html.
Sorry I can't help further. I have never tested it but I think that it happened when i booted from a clone of my os on a external drive.

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Disappearing, then reappearing preference files

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